Club 80-90 Forums

Hi all

I have an 82 2L Aircooled. When I turn the key I get a clicking sound at the rear of the van but no engine turning over.

If I keep trying eventually the engine will turn over and start no problem. Could it need a new ignition switch or possibly a new starter?

Your ideas much appreciated.

Cheers
Myles

Clean up the connection on the starter first. Check your battery voltage as you crank the engine. The clicking noise is the solenoid trying to engage the starter. Low volts or high resistance is the cause.

Cheers matey, will go give the connections a check and report back.

Just to update - the ring connector on the thick battery wire on the back of the starter was heavily corroded, essentially a piece of rust. Replaced it with a new connector, so far it seems to have worked!

Cheers!!

Hi all

Unfortunately my starter issues have continued.

I unplugged the cable from the solenoid and used a screwdriver to bridge the starter live feed to the solenoid, it turns over every time without fail.

Does this mean the switch on the steering column is faulty?

Cheers
Myles

Check the thin wire, thats the trigger wire (normally a small spade connector). Simply disturbing the starter may have restored connection on trigger wire which made it go. If its not that, the earth braid between solenoid and starter may be badly corroded. If those all check out ok, ignition switch may need replacing.

There can be other causes (ie battery terminals not tight enough) but those are the most common.

If your cables are not that great anyway, consider an overhaul in better weather: https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/VW ... ain_cables" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Well, I bypassed the ignition switch and hot wired it, still no joy - so switch is likely fine.

Removed the spade connector from the end of the trigger wire and the copper was green and nasty. Cut the wire further back and it is grey and dull. Looks likely the degraded wire is the issue.

I'm going to order 5m of 4mm cable and replace. This has to be the problem because starter works fine every time if I remove the trigger wire and apply 12v direct to solenoid.

Will replace the wire and report back. Looking forward to trouble free reliable starting.